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Ortiz gets a rest; Napoli fills in at DH

Ortiz gets a rest; Napoli fills in at DH

7/2/13: David Ortiz moves into the 500-double club with a two-bagger to right in the bottom of the first off Robbie Erlin

By Ian Browne
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MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- After playing in 29 straight games, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was given his second game off in six days on Friday night against the Angels.

With lefty C.J. Wilson pitching for the Angels, Mike Napoli served as Boston's designated hitter. Daniel Nava started at first and Jonny Gomes got the nod in left field.

Ortiz has not fared well against Wilson in his career, going 2-for-16 with no homers.

"Yeah, David is fine," said manager John Farrell. "We've got a string of six right-handers, if it's true that [Jerome] Williams is starting tomorrow, so that will run six straight right-handers against us. Long travel here last night so it was more of a down day that we had previously discussed and then planned for."

The Angels announced Williams as Saturday's probable starter, despite the fact that he started on Wednesday.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.